Outdoor science education is an essential part of any child’s education. It offers them a real, tangible reference point for their future coursework in science and technology. At the McCall Outdoor Science School (MOSS) of the University of Idaho, educators and scientists work together to create diverse, inclusive communities of learners while asking challenging questions that transform their thinking.
Leslie Dorsey is a former MOSS graduate student, field instructor, and AmeriCorps member. She has worked as a Naturalist at the Redfish Visitor Center, and more recently, as the Citizen Naturalist Coordinator at the Idaho Department of Fish and Game for the Multi-species Baseline Initiative.
Carmen DeLeon is an experienced science educator, wildlife conservationist, and STEM education specialist. She has over 12 years of experience in volunteer management, inquiry-based education, and animal biology at environmental non-profits and museums.
The conversation heads out into nature for a chat about outdoor science education and how it ties into university programs, training your teachers, and getting kids excited about being in the great outdoors.
We unbox:
The goals of MOSS
How outdoor education is important
Being successful as a generalist
Getting kids invested in the natural world
How the program adapted during the pandemic
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